By Ademola Oni, Abeokuta
The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, is to lead members of the Remo Forum, consisting of 24 notable indigenes of the area to the National Assembly to press for the creation of Remo-Ijebu State.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting of the forum in Sagamu on Friday, the Chairman, Sir Olanihun Ajayi, said Oba Sonariwo would champion the cause of the agitation, which he claimed had been on for 25 years.
Ajayi added that the monarch, who is the patron of the organisation, had contributed to the compilation of the presentation the group had prepared for the members of the National Assembly.
”This agitation has been on for sometime and we are about to conclude all preparations. We have sent in our position as Remo Division to the authorities in Abuja on the creation of a state from the existing Ogun State,” said Ajayi, who initially refused to mention the name of the state the division was championing.
”It is clear to us that the authorities in Abuja will create all the guidelines for the creation of the state and we are working on all fronts to present a good case. Kabiyesi is solidly behind us in this cause and that is why you see him in our midst.”
Aside the Akarigbo, the RF chairman was supported by the former Secretary-General, International Bar Association, Chief Idowu Sofola, SAN; Chairman, KOTCO Group, Chief Kola Oyefeso; Chairmen of Remo North Local Government, Mr. John Obafemi; and Ikenne, Chief Tiwalade Sobo; members of the forum and traditional rulers in the Remoland.
Ajayi, however, did not state whether the position of the Remo was in contrast to the position of the Ijebu Division, which believe that the proposed state should be named Ijebu State with thestate capital in Ijebu Ode.
He believed that the proposed state was viable, explaining that the area was blessed with human and material resources.
Ajayi said, ”The viability is not in doubt. We have men to run the state. For instance, out of the 24 members of the Remo Forum, we have five professors. There are chartered accountants, Senior Advocates of Nigeria and several industrialists; just in the forum of 24 members. I don‘t think any state can be richer than that in Nigeria.
”If you talk of resources, we have that in abundance. Most places in Remoland are blessed withgranite, limestone, timber, gold. So, it is a very viable state.”
Remo Voices Aloud 